As part of the STARTALK federal critical-need language learning initiative, CAL has created engaging career-focused resources that highlight U.S. federal government career pathways for language learners in high school through college. The resources include:
- 10 podcast episodes on essential topics related to language learning and pursuing a government career
- 8 video interviews with federal workers
- 5 language-learning guides
- 3 interactive guides
- A graphic and checklist showing pathways to a federal career
- A goal-setting worksheet
- A survey of video guests
- Guidance for language programs to use the materials in classrooms
Through this project, CAL provides language programs and students, particularly heritage language learners, with resources that highlight future federal government career opportunities and ways to build on students’ own language and cultural assets in order to reach their goals. While the resources highlight heritage learners of Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian, and Russian, any language learner can benefit from the information and advice.
STARTALK is a project funded by the National Security Agency. STARTALK’s mission is to increase the number of U.S. citizens learning, speaking, and teaching critical-need foreign languages, with programs for students (K-16) and teachers. STARTALK offers students and teachers of these languages creative and engaging learning experiences that strive to exemplify best practices in language education and in language teacher development.
